Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-06-24
Mamma For MnrmnnS

Il have investigated that story" the
New York Suns Salt Lake informant oh
served, and | am bound 20 believe some
such incident actually occurred. You can
not question the evidence of score of
men and women who, whatever their pe-
cuuarlIes may have been, we're not
known as harS. Their word was good
some OF them were not polygamists.
According 10 the narrative, as / got it,
the Mormon caravan had run out of meat
of every description, and though there
was still some food on hand, it was seen
that unless q more fruitful country was
reached all must perish of hunger. The
wilderness yielded absolutely nothing
There was no game. The water was
unht to drink. Hostile Indians swarmed
on all sides of them, and as day followed
day and the prospect became blacker and
olacker 1t was decided that on a certain
day the caravan should halt and pray to
Almighty God for relief. when that
DAY aawned the wagons and horses were
left as they had been placed the night
before IN circle, and the PILGRIMS as
sembled IN the central space and praved
fervsntly, both publicly and in silence,
for dellyerance. Not n morsel of food
passed the mouth of any person, and
from what l can learn more solemn fast
and supplication never occurred in this
world. For six or seven hours the serv-
ices lasted. The sky had been cloudless
during the forenoon and in the afternoon
only few white flakes stood in the broad
expanse of blue. Soon after o'clock q
breeze sprang up, which gradually in
creased TO gale, and little later the
watchers, who hailed the first change in
the atmospheric conditions as signs OF a
the horizon what appeared to be a black
cloud. As it grew in size. all stood watch
ing 1t lntently, until, amid the shouts
and halleluias of the faithful, thousands
of quail borne on the wind and dashed
with violence against the covered wagons
fell exhausted or dead to the ground
The air was black with them for a few
! minutes, and so terrifying was the ex-
| perlence that men and women tainted or
went wild with Joy. After little such
of the flock as had escaped the wagons
disappeared, and the men and women
/ who retained their presence of mind be-
/ gan gathering the birds that had come
/ to them so strangely. While they were
/ engaged IN this work and were rejoicing
| over their good fortune it grew suddenly
! dark, and before the last bird was pick
| ed up rain began to fall in copious show
| ers. The stock was greatly refreshed
| and much water was caught in utensils
which were made ready for the purpose.
! These strange eveHts had a profound
/ effect upon everybody, STRENGTHENING the
faith of the wavering and, inducing all
with the conviction that they indeed were
| the chosen of the Lord. After day of
! Thanksgiving the caravan moved on, and
in short time it came to fertile valleys
! and running water, the last of the birds
: not being consumed until other game
was found in plenty. Now since l have
read of the quail storms that they have
! in Nevada, l have come to the conclusion
that this Wa one of them, and the only
| remarkable thing about the matter was
that it should have occurred just as it did
! OF course, TO the Brighamites it was a
/ cleaimr.